Design

The Living Wall integrates more than 1400 plants from 40 species. The plant roots have integrated into the modules and crossed with other plants, creating a real living system, colonizing the whole space hiding the concrete wall as well as the structure and modules of the system. The living wall was designed to change seasons to incorporate different colours and appearances.

Irrigation

The irrigation for this project is a closed-circuit recirculating system. Any excess water from an irrigation event is captured below the wall and directed to the irrigation water tank where it is purified and filtered, while nutrients and PH levels are monitored and adjusted to ensure the plants are receiving the right amount to grow and survive their natural lives in the living wall panels. The whole system is remotely monitored to reduce the need for costly on-site inspections, making this an environmentally friendly installation.

Benefits

These types of gardens also produce environmental benefits, reduces noise pollution by up to 10 decibels, acts as an air purifier both inside and outside the building with evaporative cooling. In this way, significant energy savings are achieved in air conditioning.

According to Paloma Carrasco, a psychologist at USP Sagrado Corazón: “The benefits associated with nature in sanitary environments are multiple. Thus, one square meter of plant cover generates the oxygen required by a person in a whole year and traps 130 grams of dust annually”. In addition, adds the specialist, “the positive effects on the psychological state of patients and workers will be the most important, since we know that environments with vegetation reduce the level of stress and anxiety, improving performance and increasing the feeling of well-being.”. In fact, she has ensured that “they even stimulate the immune system and reduce physical discomfort (dry skin and mucous membranes, breathing, fatigue …) by up to 5% in closed environments”.

With this innovative garden, “Sagrado Corazón Hospital takes the lead in Europe in environmental innovation within the medical sector. We wanted the building to demand the least amount of energy possible and the facilities to be highly efficient”, says Ignacio Quijano, landscape architect of the project.

Maintenance

Once a month a visual inspection of the Living Wall is carried out, removing any dry leaves, deadheading and checking the function of the system. A more thorough maintenance visit will be carried out quarterly or as required. The irrigation is monitored remotely and adjusted according to the seasons and local weather conditions.

Design

The design of irregular ‘mosaics’ are made up of plant species of different textures and colours. This composition is combined with a ventilated façade of corten steel.

In addition to being incorporated into the compositional proposal of the façade, an exterior vertical garden incorporates elements of nature into the urban space. In this way, it is possible to restore the human connection to nature.

Irrigation

This installation uses a recirculating system. The excess water from each irrigation cycle’s is captured in the drip trays below the wall and directed back to a tank where it is filtered, treated and mixed with fresh water to be used on the next irrigation cycle.

Maintenance

Once a month a visual inspection of the living wall is carried out. Checking the system for correct function, clearing drip trays, cleaning filters, checking moisture levels, PH and conductivity. The living wall will have a more thorough visit quarterly or as required. Using access equipment to get up to the face of the living wall and prune the plants as necessary.